News & Events

Carnival & Market Day a big success

- November 24, 2011

500 snags eaten, 200 faces painted – and $15,000 raised for children with special needs. What a day that was!

More than 1,000 people came to The Infants’ Home Carnival & Market Day on Saturday October 22 for a fun family day that raised $15,000 – money that will be used directly to strengthen services for children and families with additional needs.

This will include speech therapy, occupational therapy and funding a daily bus run to transport vulnerable children to and from The Infants’ Home.

As one of Australia’s oldest children’s charities, the heritage-listed buildings and grounds of The Infants’ Home in Sydney’s inner-west was the perfect backdrop for a trip back in time, as well as to enjoy some more modern delights.

Chelsey and Sienna Da Silva show their brand new henna tattoos.

Making our day a big success

The Infants’ Home CEO, Anita Kumar, says the carnival and market day – part of the national Children’s Week 2011 celebrations – would not have been such a success without the generous support offered by so many organisations and individuals.

"We are fortunate to have such wonderful friends,” says Kumar. “They understand that what we do here for children and families facing physical, emotional or social hardship is vital work. We would not be able to continue strengthening and expanding our services without their support."

Jamie Green feeds a baby goat in the petting zoo.

IBM made a generous cash donation of $5000 and some IBMers even volunteered to help The Infants’ Home on the day.

Herbalife ran a popular stall that added colour and atmosphere to the day.

Club Penguin also ran a stall and they donated the proceeds to The Infants’ Home.

The Kambala Old Girls’ Union – a staunch supporter of The Infants' Home since 1902 – made a generous donation of $2500.

NSW Family Day Care gave The Infants’ Home a $1500 sponsorship to help pay for the petting zoo, face painting, and the merry-go-round.

Costs Partners made a cash donation of $700. Club Ashfield made a cash donation of $200. Club Five Dock made a cash donation of $300.

Wests Ashfield – a long-time supporter of The Infants’ Home – donated a flat-screen plasma television worth $1000; gave $250 worth of dining vouchers; and loaned its PA equipment and chocolate wheel for the day.

Ashfield Council is another long-time supporter of The Infants’ Home. Councillor Jeanette Wang and Councillor Mark Drury joined in the spirit of the day. Mr Drury came with his children and grandchildren.

Strathfield Rotary – a new supporter which sponsored and organised a BBQ on the day.

Our magnificent naval friends

Crew from HMAS Sydney provided some vital logistics support and muscle prior to the event to help make sure everything ran smoothly on the day.

"HMAS Sydney is probably our oldest and dearest friend," says Kumar.

"They have been with us since 1965 and our wonderful partnership with them has included generous financial donations as well as many good-humoured working bees in the buildings and grounds at Ashfield."

More than 100 parents and local business supporters also baked cakes, made jams and donated prizes for our raffle and chocolate wheel. This is apart from helping The Infants’ Home in a myriad other ways.

Andrew Hope donated 300 cans of drink. It was a thirsty day and they all sold.

Julia Galletti secured a signed and framed Wests Tigers jersey, which proved a popular attraction in the raffle.

Asinate Mar helped raise more than $1100 at the tropical punch stall.

Angela Heck-Smith, mother of Max from Robinson House, helped us source some wonderful prizes for the raffle.

What is a carnival without you-know-who?

More next year

Feedback from the community has convinced The Infants' Home to make this day an annual event.

All the stalls were busy, especially the face painting, nail decorating, hair braiding, and the henna and washable tattoos. Another highlight was the petting zoo, where the star of the show was a four day-old calf called Sunshine making her public debut.

"Our most sincere thanks go to everyone who was involved, and we look forward to seeing you again in 2012," says Kumar. "This event would not have been possible without your support, enthusiasm and sheer effort.

"I am proud to be able to thank you on behalf of the children whose lives will be a little easier because of your generosity."

The international food team – aka staff from The Infants' Home – provided treats from around the world.